Fenchem has launched its hydrolyzed fish collagen in the Southeast Asian market, to target the growing demand for health drinks and supplements in the region.

The product, HyadroColla,​ is derived from Tilapia fish raised in Chinese fresh waters.

The company claims that compared to the collagen from cattle and pigs which could be at risk for BSE and foot and mouth disease, its fish collagen product is much safer and free from pollution and disease.

Junny Liu, marketing manager with Fenchem China, told FoodNavigator-Asia that the company is targeting Thailand and Malaysia with its new product, as the demand for ‘beauty’ drinks and supplements is booming.

“The need for Collagen is being fueled by heightened interest in personal healthcare, growing size of an aging population, and development of new products with a wide application range,”​ Liu said.

The collagen product is targeted at manufacturers of beauty drinks, nutrition bars, tablets and capsules in the region.

This product will especially tap into the burgeoning beauty health market, she added, as fish collagen is associated with anti-ageing and moisturizing properties, Liu said.

Targeting the lucrative Asian markets​

The product has been in development for around a year and has been especially tailored for the Asian customer, Liu said, as it is colorless, odorless and fast soluble in water.

According to Fenchem, protease technology degrades the fish collagen into smaller collagen peptide of molecular weight ranging from 500Da to 3000Da, which is more easily absorbed by the skin.

The company is set to market the product across the EU and the US next, Liu said, though no timeframe was given.